If you have been wondering who is Hailey Bills to Jenna Johnson, the answer is straightforward: Hailey Bills is the niece of Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
While that family connection may have first brought her to the attention of DWTS fans, Bills has quickly established herself as a talent in her own right. At just 20 years old, she has been promoted from the show’s dance troupe to a professional partner for Season 35, where she will make history as part of only the second same-sex pairing in the show’s history.
Hailey Bills’ Family Relationship to Jenna Johnson
The family tree is the easiest place to start. Hailey Bills is the daughter of Stacy Bills, who is Jenna Johnson’s older sister. This makes Jenna Hailey’s aunt.
This also means Hailey is connected to a significant portion of the DWTS family through marriage. Because Jenna Johnson is married to fellow professional dancer Val Chmerkovskiy, Hailey calls him her uncle.
Hailey Bills’ Dance Career Before Becoming a Pro
Hailey’s path to becoming a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars began at a young age. Her big break in the franchise came in 2018 when she was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors. In that spinoff, she was partnered with Tripp Johnston Palin and mentored by her aunt, Jenna Johnson. While the pair were eliminated first, the experience was clearly formative.
In 2025, she took the next step, landing a spot as a member of the main show’s dance troupe for Season 34. The troupe is the group of dancers who perform in the background of the main competition. This was a significant milestone, and Hailey shared a video of Jenna and Val Chmerkovskiy surprising her with the news, a moment she described as “so special.”
Hailey Bills and Jenna Johnson’s Relationship
The relationship between Hailey and her aunt is clearly one of deep mutual respect and admiration. Jenna Johnson has been an avid supporter of her niece’s journey, from their time together on Juniors to her promotion to troupe and then to pro.
Hailey has spoken about her excitement at being mentored by her aunt on Juniors, noting that it allowed her to “act normal in front of her.” In turn, Jenna was proud but tough on her niece, pushing her to excel “because I know what she can do.”
More recently, this support has been evident on social media. When Hailey announced her new role as a pro, Jenna Johnson shared her excitement with an emotional post on Instagram.
Hailey Bills’ New DWTS Role in Season 35
Season 35 is a major milestone for Hailey Bills. After spending a season in the troupe, she has been promoted to a professional dancer, meaning she will now partner with a celebrity contestant.
Her partner for Season 35 is reality TV star Sarah Jane Nader, known for the series Love Thy Nader. Sarah Jane is the sister of Brooks Nader, who competed on the show in Season 33. This pairing is also historically significant, as it marks only the second time the show has featured a same-sex female partnership.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hailey Bills to Jenna Johnson?
Hailey Bills is Jenna Johnson’s niece. She is the daughter of Jenna’s older sister, Stacy Bills.
Is Hailey Bills Jenna Johnson’s niece?
Yes, Hailey Bills is the biological niece of professional dancer Jenna Johnson.
Who are Hailey Bills’ parents?
Hailey Bills’ mother is Stacy Bills, who is Jenna Johnson’s older sister.
How old is Hailey Bills?
Hailey Bills is 20 years old. She turned 20 in May 2026.
Is Hailey Bills joining Dancing with the Stars?
Hailey Bills has been promoted to a professional partner for Season 35 of Dancing with the Stars.
Has Hailey Bills appeared on DWTS before?
Yes, Hailey Bills appeared on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors in 2018 and was a member of the dance troupe in Season 34.
What is Hailey Bills known for?
Hailey Bills is best known for being a professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars and for being the niece of pro dancer Jenna Johnson.